After months of Internet rumors, “Life in the Fab Lane” star Kimora Lee Simmons has revealed to her Twitter followers that she and actor Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond”) are officially separated.
Kimora tweeted: “There have been quite a few hurtful rumors circulating. The truth is Djimon+I have been separated for some time. We have remained happy, loving, co-parenting friends+family. We have much to be thankful for. #HappyThanksgiving.”
The couple had been together for five years and have a son together, Kenzo Lee Hounsou (3), Djimon’s first child and Kimora’s third. Her older children, Ming Lee (12) and Aoki Lee Simmons (10) were fathered by her ex-husband, media and fashion mogul Russell Simmons, whom she claims to maintain a solid friendship with as well. Wouldn’t it be great if all of our relationships ended on such good terms?
Just to give a little background on Kimora Lee, she was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, where she famously admits now to being picked on for being “different.” In addition to being tall for her age, Kimora had a unique background; she is of Japanese and African American descent. As the story goes, her mother Joanne Perkins (herself a Korean-born Japanese woman) refused to let the taunting get to her daughter. She continuously told Kimora that she was beautiful, kept her in the arts, took her to modeling agencies, castings and other activities in an effort to push what she knew was her daughter’s natural gift.
Blessed with fame at the young age of thirteen, Kimora got her start after catching the eye of Karl Lagerfield at Chanel. After landing the prestigious closing slot at a Lagerfield show in 1989 at the fourteen, the sky appeared to be the limit for the woman who would one day launch her own perfume titled quite simply “Goddess.” Suddenly, the exotic looks once considered a drawback had become her strong suit.
In 1999 Kimora launched the fashion phenomenon Baby Phat with then-husband Russell Simmons.
With all of these pans on the fire, I’m sure Kimora will be able to easily fill her newly-free time. She seems like a strong woman, and the fact that she maintains great relationships with the fathers of her children speaks volumes about her character. As for Hounsou, well, go watch the excellent Oscar-nominated 2002 flick “In America” sometime and you’ll see what a fine actor he is in the right role. We wish Kimora and Djimon all the best.